As you get older, eventually you'll get age spots. Right? Actually, no.
Contrary to some beliefs, those little unsightly brown patches that show up on our hands, chest and arms, have little to do with actually getting older. Age spots form after years of prolonged sun exposure.
Generally, age spots will start showing up around the age of 30, but others won't see them until their 40s or even 50s. It's all dependent on how much sun exposure you receive over the years, and how careful you are at protecting your skin. Some women in their 90s, have no age spots at all. They've stayed inside, used appropriate sunscreens, or covered up during a sunny days.
We can't all live like that though. So what's the best way to slow the process of them occurring? Well, that's very easy. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or above. And don't forget to make sure that its water resistance, if you're going to get wet at all. That's it!
Now if you've already got age spots, and would like to get rid of them, you can consider starting with a fade cream. A fade cream is simply an anti-aging topical skin treatment that contains a lightening agent. Often they include hydroquinone, an active ingredient allowed in anti-aging skin treatments in America. Unfortunately, if you're in Europe, hydroquinone is not approved. Retinol based topicals can be used, which will fade the spots over time.
Fade creams can take up to six months before sunspots become noticeably lessened. It's unlikely that they will totally disappear, but should fade over time.
For removing severe age spots quicker, you may consider a chemical peel. Using a fade cream first would help the process, but there's no quick fix. Years in the sun, and the damage it causes, is a difficult thing to eliminate overnight.
Lasers have been used for effective treatment of sunspots also. Outer layers of skin containing age spots, are removed by laser resurfacing. This method isn't cheap though.
The main message about age spots is clear. Protect yourself when you're out in the sun. We all love to look bronze in the summer. But remember, to keep that youthful look as long as possible, you have to protect your precious skin.
